Vatican names Mexican-born auxiliary bishop as new archbishop of San Antonio

The Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, 53, will be the next archbishop of San Antonio, the Vatican’s Web site announced today.

He is an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Chicago where he is the liaison for Hispanic ministry to Cardinal Francis George and also a regional administrator of the largest district within the archdiocese.

Garcia-Siller is a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, a religious order founded in Mexico City, which he joined in 1973.

He is from the central-Mexican city of San Luis Potosi as the oldest of 15 children and was ordained a priest in 1984.

He served in a variety of ministry positions in California for the religious order before moving to Chicago to be an auxiliary bishop.

By naming him, the Vatican keeps intact the string of Hispanic archbishops started when retired San Antonio archbishop Patrick Flores took the helm in 1979. Archbishop Jose Gomez replaced Flores six years ago and moved in May to head the Los Angeles archdiocese next year.

Described by many as warm, extroverted and enthusiastic, he is scheduled to attend a press conference later today at the Pastoral Center.

I am delighted by the Holy Father’s appointment of Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller as the next Archbishop of San Antonio. Archbishop Garcia-Siller is a wonderful bishop, priest and friend, and the people of the Archdiocese will soon discover that they have a new shepherd who is a man of great faith and extraordinary pastoral sensitivity.

I am also pleased to point out that this appointment is noteworthy for Los Angeles as well. Archbishop Garcia-Siller received his theological training at St. John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and lived in the Los Angeles Archdiocese for several years as rector of the house of studies for the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit.

I congratulate Archbishop Garcia-Siller on his appointment, and I look forward to working together with him in the years ahead.